The band self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first album in a garage, they signed with Jagjaguwar. Okkervil River continued by releasing four more albums, including critically lauded concept album Black Sheep Boy.
After a period of touring for Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River followed up with The Stage Names. The album sold 10,000 in its opening week in the United States. The group released a free covers album, Golden Opportunities Mixtape from their live performances.
The band has garnered positive critical reception. Especially noted are each song's lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and thematic albums. In addition, they were featured on the talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien and have performed with high profile bands such as The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, The National, and Lou Reed.
Okkervil River released their most recent album The Silver Gymnasium on September 3, 2013.
Discography:
* 1998 Bedroom EP – Jound
* 1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound
* 2002 Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See - Jagjaguwar
* 2003 Down the River of Golden Dreams - Jagjaguwar
* 2003 Julie Doiron/Okkervil River (A split CD with Julie Dorion) - Acuarela
* 2004 Sleep and Wake-Up Songs (EP) - Jagjaguwar
* 2004 Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral (A split CD with Shearwater) - Jagjaguwar
* 2005 Black Sheep Boy - Jagjaguwar
* 2005 Black Sheep Boy Appendix (EP) - Jagjaguwar
* 2006 Overboard and Down (EP) – Inertia, Australia-only tour EP
* 2007 The Stage Names - Jagjaguwar
* 2008 The Stand-Ins - Jagjaguwar
* 2011 I Am Very Far - Jagjaguwar
* 2013 The Silver Gymnasium - ATO Records
* 2016 Away - ATO Records
* 2018 In The Rainbow Rain - ATO Records
Current band members:
* Will Sheff - acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica (keyboard occasionally)
* Travis Nelsen - drums, misc. percussion
* Scott Brackett - trumpet, coronet, keyboards, organ, tape player, misc. percussion
* Patrick Pestorius - bass, piano, woodblocks
* Justin Sherburn - keys, guitar
* Lauren Gurgiolo - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin
Past band members:
* Seth Warren - guitar
* Zachary Thomas - vocals, bass
* Jonathan Meiburg - vocals, banjo, guitar, accordion, piano, organ
* Mark Pedini - drums
* Brian Cassidy - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, melodica (keyboard and accordion when on tour without Jonathan)
A King And A Queen
Okkervil River Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Okkervil River's song A King And A Queen are introspective and delve into themes of identity, power, and love. The opening lines suggest that the subject of the song is seeking attention and validation, with the phrase "if you want to see and be seen, then be seen." The dark red dress and bright green eyes are attention-grabbing, urging the subject to "make a scene." However, the following line cautions against going too far and becoming passive or lifeless - "don't lie on the bed, laid out like you're dead."
The chorus of the song encourages the subject to take control and be powerful, but also acknowledges the underlying emotions of fear and uncertainty. The line "be a being on two feet, with his heart trembling" suggests that power can be scary and overwhelming, but it's also a necessary quality for someone who wants to be a queen or a king. The second verse introduces the idea of sacrifice - the princess in the stone tower is crying for the butcher she loves, but also acknowledges him as a knight. The song ends on a poignant note, with the singer acknowledging that their love may never be reciprocated but expressing a willingness to serve and be loyal regardless.
Overall, the song is a complex reflection on identity, love, and power. It urges listeners to be confident and assertive while also recognizing the weight of responsibility that comes with such qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to see and be seen, then be seen.
If you want to attract attention, then do so.
Your dress is dark red and your opening eyes are bright green.
You are wearing a dark red dress and your eyes are bright green.
Make a scene, but don't lie on the bed, laid out like you're dead, because honey, you're murdering me.
Make a fuss, but don't pretend to be dead on the bed, because it's hurting me deeply.
Be a little sheep learning who'll shear and who'll feed.
Be vulnerable and learn who you can trust.
The hands come and they leave.
People come and go.
Be hands holding a knife.
Be dangerous.
Be a being on two feet, with his heart trembling, butchering for a king he believes in though he's never seen.
Be a person who is passionate about a cause even though they have never seen the leader in person.
Be the princess in that stone tower, crying for that handsome butcher's plight (and, as some princess might, she still calls him a knight.)
Be the damsel in distress who is still rooting for her savior.
But the best thing for you would be queen, so be queen.
The best thing for you would be to reign like a queen, so do so.
You're all that I need.
You are everything to me.
Though I know that it never can be, I'd be pleased to post your decrees, to fall at your knees, to name all your streets and to sit down and weep when you're carried back through them and set down to sleep, and to lie by your side for sublime centuries (until we crumble to dust when we're crushed by a single sunbeam).
Even though I know we can never be together, I would be honored to serve you and be by your side until the end of time.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
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